Middle English Dictionary Entry
intollerāble adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | intollerāble adj. Also intolerable. |
| Etymology | L intolerābilis & OF intolerable. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Unbearable, unendurable; also, very great, very painful; (b) unforgivable, insufferable; (c) irresistible.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)136/10 : No þing abidiþ to vs but..Feer intollerable, drede vntellable.
- a1425 St.Anthony (Roy 17.C.7)128/22 : Þer come in þer nose a stynkyng sawour, so intollarabull þat þai fell to þe grond lyk dede men.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)32a/a : In case forsoþ in which ventosite war fumeous, yuel, & corrupt..with akyng & intollerable [L intolerabilibus] estuaciounz, i. sweltyngez, þer is no Counsaile after William de Saliceto.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)122a/a : Ȝif þer were intollerabel akkeþ in tyme of generacioun of þe enpostume.
- (c1426) Paston2.13 : Walter Aslak, purposyng and imaginyng to putte William Paston in drede and intollerable fere to be slayn and mordered..many manaces of deth and dismembryng maden.
- (1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236)89/3 : Þa sall criste scharp & intollerabyll [L Christum asperum et intolerabilem] to þer eyne.
- (1447) Doc.N.Convocation in Sur.Soc.113179 : Some men have..peyned hem to make..bitter interpretation of the said statutes, such as..should turne to intollerable hurt and prejudice of the said prelates.
- (1449) RParl.5.150b : Wherof as yet no due redresse is hadde, unto the right intollerable hurt of alle the Comens of this Reame.
- ?a1450 Arderne LW (Em 69)116 : [A stone in the urethra] causeth the pacient to suffre ryght grete peyne & intollerable..sorowe.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)403/12 : Grete blak watur, at keste owte intollerable savurs & stynkis.
- (1451) Capgr.St.Gilb.(Add 36704)99/3 : An-oþir chanon..had in his feet a violent and intollerable peyne.
- (1460) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3237 : The Kynges true subgettes may not suerly ryde nor goo to do suche thyngs as they have to do, to theire intollerable hurt and hyndryng.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)213 : Evyr, whan I go to Frauns, I have fayre weddir; and whanne I turne to Ynglond, intollerable tempestes.
- (?1464) Paston (Gairdner)4.119 : Which hath nat be at alle tymys to your grete ease, neyther hertis plesauns, but rather to your grete desese and yntollerable peyne.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)4.119 : A grete stynche and as intollerable come.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)88b/b : And in þat place is greet reednesse and swellynge and intollerable akynge.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)49 : We, dolorous parsones suffring intollerabille persecucions and miserie..what shalle we doo or say?
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.99 : In the first..is..Inenarrable hydous coldnesse and stinking intolerable.
- a1500 Mirror Salv.(Beeleigh)p.147 : Tofore herde we the paynes to dampned intolerable.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4113 : Thiestes..Compassid a mene..To corrupte my wyuys chastite, Mi bed defoulyng, a thyng intollerable, And to the goddis verray abhomynable.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)58/14 : Euery proude man es intollerable, for hys clothynge es to ouere mych.
- (a1461) Proc.Privy C.6.336 : After your intollerable offence, ye dissobeisauntly refusid to knowelege you bounden to oure peax.
c
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.91 : Thei scholde be intollerable and invincible, if they myȝhte haue the vertu of perseueraunce after theire impetuosite.